Milwaukee's Menomonee River Valley has undergone two major transformations in the last century. Originally a vibrant marsh, it developed into the industrial heart of the region, then gradually deteriorated to an underutilized wasteland. However, the past five years have brought an increase in interest in the Valley, and it is now on the verge of a third transformation - one which will revitalize both its marshland origins and its industrial use, and demonstrate how these two can successfully coexist.

The 1,200-acre Valley represents a highly visible redevelopment opportunity: located in the geographic center of Wisconsin's largest city, it is within walking distance of the heart of downtown. An interstate freeway runs along its northern bluff, and another crosses over it; from both, the future redevelopment will be easily visible. Summerfest concert grounds at the eastern end of the Valley, the new Miller Park professional baseball stadium at the western end, and the new Potawatomi Casino in the heart of the Valley, attract among them over 8 million visitors per year to the Menomonee Valley environs.

New developments surround the Valley, highlighting the potential value of these lands. Immediately to the north of the Valley, a new Riverwalk is contributing to the revitalization of downtown Milwaukee. To the east, the Historic Third Ward has undergone a transformation from a neglected warehouse district to one of Milwaukee's hippest neighborhoods. On the southern edge of the Valley, a historic tannery complex has been rehabilitated into Class A offices and condominiums. At this point, it is not a question of whether redevelopment occurs in the Valley, but only how and what kind.

Several private-sector entities are working in close partnership with the City of Milwaukee and the State of Wisconsin towards the redevelopment of the Valley. A Business Improvement District, created in 1999, collects funds from property owners to aid in redevelopment. The Menomonee Valley Business Association has been actively involved in Valley projects since its inception almost a decade ago. And finally, Menomonee Valley Partners Inc. (MVP), a public-private partnership dedicated to the Valley's redevelopment, brings together all the interest groups -- including City, County, State, and Federal government - around a single table.

Redevelopment of the Valley has garnered, and will continue to receive, considerable attention throughout the region. Efforts began with the formation of the Menomonee Valley Business Association almost ten years ago, and culminated in the development of a Land Use Plan by the City of Milwaukee. The Plan provides a framework for the redevelopment, and stresses the importance of high-quality development. A subsequent study by the Center on Wisconsin Strategy provided further rationale for "high-road" rather than "low-road" redevelopment, and a Sustainable Design Charrette held in 1999 looked at the specifics of balancing economic, environmental, and social interests in the redevelopment.

High quality redevelopment of these lands will have significant benefits for the entire Milwaukee community. The Valley is currently a giant brownfield, designated as a landfill by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. It once was home to many manufacturing jobs, and as a result dense working-class neighborhoods grew up around it. Now, these dense neighborhoods remain, but as jobs have moved away, they have become some of the lowest-income areas in the state. Neighborhood children still visit the Menomonee River to fish and play; footpaths and tunnels into the neighborhoods, once used by workers, still exist. New development in the Valley would re-establish ties to these neighborhoods in a healthy way, bringing jobs and removing environmental hazards.

Over the next ten years, we project three million square feet of new construction in the Valley. With new Development Guidelines, financial incentives, and other assistance, MVP is helping to make sure that the Valley gets the high-quality development that Milwaukee deserves.